The management of Myanmar’s most historic luxury hotel, The Strand Yangonwww.hotelthestrand.comhas revealed details of an extensive refurbishment project that, once completed, will reaffirm the hotel’s position as one of the leaders in luxury hospitality in South-East Asia.

Extensive refurbishment set for completion in November 2016 will reaffirm the hotel’s position as one of the leaders in luxury hospitality in South-East Asia.

The Strand Yangon which is now closed until November 2016 will undergo a complete facelift that will return the award-winning heritage hotel to its former glory. Constructed in 1901 in a classic colonial style, the hotel will retain its heritage architectural details, such as marble and teak wood flooring, ceiling fans, chandeliers, lacquer wood furniture, Burmese antiques, and signature service elements, while being given a complete upgrade and contemporary twist through a refreshed colour-palette and subtle decorative details.

The interiors of all the hotel’s 31 suites will be redecorated in keeping with the Strand’s legendary style and elegance, while at the same time updated with the latest technology, including new air conditioning, sound and communications systems. The Strand is famous around the world for its flawless, personalised service and suites will continue to be attended by the hotel’s team of highly trained butlers.

The hotel’s gourmet dining restaurant, the Strand Signature Restaurant, renowned as Yangon’s most elegant dining room, will re-open as the city’s finest dining ‘pop-up’ outlet open only during high-season and lead by a Michelin star chef. The casually elegant Strand Café, which overlooks the bustle of the Yangon Road, will serve a menu of Burmese and Western dishes for breakfast and lunch, and continue to be the setting for the famous Strand afternoon tea, which will be preserved and expanded with more British and Burmese delicacies. The café’s traditional rattan furniture and black lacquer ceiling fans will be complemented with a new colour scheme, accented in the traditional Burmese longyi uniforms of the staff.

The famous Sarkies Bar; the social epicenter of the hotel for over 114 years and meeting place for adventurers, explorers and story-tellers, such as Noël Coward and Rudyard Kipling, swapping stories over a classic Strand Sour cocktail, will also be fully refurbished and an extensive selection of whiskeys and single malts will be added to its offering.

The warm welcome and intuitive service of the hotel’s team is at the heart of every Strand Hotel experience and is considered its greatest asset. Associates will be retained during the closure period, during which time the hotel will invest in extensive service training and language courses for the team.

“The Strand name has been synonymous with luxury hospitality in South-East Asia since 1901 and this renovation of the hotel is an exciting next chapter in our story,”commented Olivier Trinquand, Vice President, The Strand Hotel & Cruise. “This refurbishment comes just months after the successful launch of The Strand Cruise, our 27-cabin river cruiser operating on the AyeyarwadyRiver between Bagan and Mandalay, and will further reinforce the Strand’s position as market leader in the region.”

The Strand Yangon has six Superior Suites, 21 Deluxe Suites, three Executive Suites and one Strand Suite. For more information visit www.hotelthestrand.com.